The Opportunity Project (TOP) began its efforts in 2000 to develop early learning centers devoted to creating school readiness for children living in poverty. During its first three years of development, TOP researchers studied the efforts by educators in low income areas of major U.S. cities to improve the educational performance of minority and economically disadvantaged children. Based upon these findings, TOP created an early educational, best practice model for children in poverty. Simultaneously, TOP researched longitudinal studies proving that high quality, early education undoubtedly produced improved life outcomes for poor children. |
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The Opportunity Project opened its first early childhood learning center in one of Wichita, Kansas’ poorest areas (Oaklawn) in July 2003. The four million dollar, 30,000 square foot, 12-classroom center serves as a “learning community” for area educators, facility staff, families, and children in poverty. This unique effort is a partnership between private
donors, foundations, departments of education and professional educators at many levels in the community. Educational outcomes have been
so successful that TOP’s second early learning center opened in Northeast Wichita the Fall of 2006. Both centers are at enrollment capacity of
300 children and have successfully graduated over 700 children to kindergarten. |
